July 5: All India Hartal

Left Parties Statement

 

The Congress-led government has delivered another cruel blow to the people by increasing the price of petrol, diesel, kerosene oil and cooking gas steeply and by deregulating the prices and leaving it to the market.  This comes after its refusal to take any effective step to curb price rise of food items and essential commodities which is causing acute suffering to the people.

 

On top of the food inflation at nearly 17 per cent and the general inflation rate in double digits, the Congress-led government has callously raised the fuel prices making the burden on the people unbearable.

 

The government is putting forth deceptive arguments to justify the hike and refuses to listen to the protests of the people.

 

The only way for the people is to launch a powerful collective protest to compel the government to heed their voice to withdraw the hikes.

 

The Left parties have consulted other secular opposition parties. Along with the Left parties, the AIADMK, Telugu Desam Party, Samajwadi Party, Biju Janata Dal, Janata Dal (S) and Indian National Lok Dal have decided to call for a countrywide hartal on July 5. Discussions with some other secular opposition parties to join the hartal is also on.

 

We appeal to all sections of the people to register their protest by joining the hartal.

 

The hartal will be from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

 

All essential services like supply of water, milk, electricity, hospital and emergency services will be exempt from the hartal.